Wide Awake Coffee’s Post

In March, Damien, our Head Roaster, traveled to Kenya to deepen our sourcing relationships and better understand the country’s evolving coffee landscape. We visited Sucafina’s headquarters in Nairobi, along with partners in the Embu region, including the standout Ngaratua Estate. Kenya’s supply chain is currently undergoing major shifts due to new government regulations that limit companies to a single license type. This has forced some to restructure or scale back, but it’s also encouraging more direct trade, giving producers like Ngaratua greater autonomy and access to better prices for their high-quality coffees. Kenyan coffee is prized for its vibrant acidity, full body, and layered complexity, making it a favorite origin among many. Grown at high altitudes on rich volcanic soil, these coffees benefit from near-perfect conditions. The most common varieties are SL28 and SL34, developed by Scott Agricultural Laboratories for their exceptional cup quality and resilience. Coffees are also graded by bean size, with AA and AB being most common, AA representing the largest, and often most sought-after, lots. At Ngaratua, a family-run estate growing SL-series varieties, we were struck by their meticulous processing and dedication to quality. Their AA washed lot stood out with exceptional clarity, florality, and stone fruit sweetness. More broadly, we observed a renewed focus on infrastructure and quality improvements across the region, driven by rising prices and a move away from the traditional auction system. Going forward, our sourcing strategy will prioritize direct relationships with producers like Purity and Peterson at Ngaratua, ensuring traceability, quality, and fair pricing. Look out for their coffees rolling out this summer.